Gaggal airport sees flight boost

IndiGo will add one more daily flight between Gaggal and Chandigarh starting March 30, increasing the total to two daily flights on this route. The airline has already uploaded the schedule and started bookings. Additionally, three new flights will connect Gaggal to Jaipur, Noida and Dehradun.

Currently, Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet operate six daily flights between Gaggal and destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla. With these additions, the total number of flights from Gaggal airport will rise to 10 daily.

Gaggal airport, the busiest in Himachal Pradesh, currently accommodates 70-seater planes on its 1,372-metre runway. Its terminal can handle 100 passengers and provides parking for two turboprop aircraft like the ATR-72. With increased flights, airfares are expected to decline.

The airport expansion plan is underway, with land acquisition likely to conclude by March 31. During his Kangra visit on January 25, the Chief Minister announced that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to extend the runway from 1,376 metres to 3,110 metres. This will enable larger aircraft, such as airbuses and Boeings, to land easily, enhancing Himachal Pradesh’s tourism potential.

The state government has disbursed over Rs 500 crore as compensation to affected persons and will collaborate with private firms on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis for the project. The airport expansion, spread over 1,269 acres at an altitude of 2,492 feet, aims to cater to increasing demand and boost connectivity in the region.